Punjab girl param takes hip-hop by storm with viral debut single

A plane cuts across the sky above Duneke, a quiet village in Punjab’s Moga district. From the narrow alleys and crumbling homes below, a girl steps out in a boxy ‘World Circuit’ T-shirt and camouflage pants. She mouths sharp, defiant lines in crisp Malwa Punjabi—a declaration of presence, power, and independence.

“Ve main addi na patashe jaavan phor di… Ankh takdi na kise nu eh ghoordi… Meri chuppi japdi doonge shor jahi.” These opening bars of ‘That Girl’, a debut hip-hop single, have already racked up over 30 lakh views on YouTube in six days, marking the arrival of 19-year-old rapper and singer Paramjeet Kaur, who performs under the moniker Param.

Produced by British music veteran Manni Sandhu and backed by independent label Collab Creations, the track was recorded not in a studio but in a modest Airbnb in Punjab. “There was no acoustic treatment… you could hear cars outside, but still, the vocals were extremely crisp. Honestly, experiences like this only happen now and again,” Sandhu said, reflecting on the instant chemistry that brought Param’s vision to life.

The music video, shot in Mohali by Tru Makers, reinforces the song’s raw authenticity. In a Punjabi rap scene dominated by men—where women often serve as props in videos — Param’s voice, style, and swagger stand out. She isn’t just performing; she’s leading.

“There are many women in Punjab singing pop music. But Param is unique—she is one of a kind. She is the first woman rapper in the Punjabi ‘Gully Boy’ space,” says Satvinder Singh Kohli, managing director of Speed Records, the label behind stars like Honey Singh and Satinder Sartaj.

Param’s story is rooted in resilience. Growing up in Duneke, the daughter of a daily-wage labourer and a house help, she discovered rap in Class 10 at her government high school. College at DM College, Moga, strengthened her craft, where she collaborated with friends like Jashanpreet Singh (‘Saab’) to write tracks, freestyle in the Dana Mandi, and share reels on Instagram that first brought her attention.

‘That Girl’ isn’t just music — it’s a manifesto. Param raps about self-reliance, courage, and pride, referencing Punjabi folklore hero Jeona Morh as a symbol of resistance and strength. But off-stage, she remains grounded, driven by family and ambition. “I just want to support my family. I want to build a really nice house for my parents. I want them to sit at home and just relax,” she told BBC Punjabi.

In a single week, Param has turned heads, challenged norms, and proven that Punjabi women can command the mic with authenticity, power, and grit. Her voice isn’t just heard — it demands attention.